Our Volunteers

Loving her career choice since 1997, Majlis is the co-owner of the Mind Body Institute in Madison, TN. She spent 20 years as a volunteer for the AMTA working in many different positions including president for 7 years. She has also been involved in everything from teaching hands on classes to TN law and business classes. She has cultivated several amazing relationships with her fellow volunteers, students, grads, massage schools and the TN massage board over the years. She is also currently a member of ABMP but wanted to also go back to what matters most to her, the licensed massage therapists of TN. She is honored to be chosen as the new president of the TMTA and will work extremely hard to foster the regrowth of TMTA across the state of Tennessee.

Tennessee Massage Therapy Association

Position Title:
President

Purpose
The President will assist the entire TMTA board and all volunteers in reaching the goals of TMTA and effecting policies and/or decisions made by the Board of Directors.

Eligibility
In addition to being a Professional member in good standing with TMTA they must have;

• Completed one term year as a Board member within the last five years or;
• Completed three years as a Committee chair within the last five years or;
• Completed 5 years of Professional Membership of TMTA in good standing

Authority
The authority of the President is conferred by the membership through election

Accountability
The President is accountable to the Membership by virtue of election and agrees to uphold and abide by all TMTA Bylaws, Policy, Job Description, Code of Conduct,and Financial Policies & Procedures.

Term of Office

• Elected by membership in odd years
• Serves a 2 year term
• No more than 2 consecutive terms

Oversees

• All Board, Committee Chairs and Committee members of TMTA.

Responsibilities

1. Is a voting member of the Board of Directors and is familiar with Robert’s Rules of Order.
2. Accepts responsibilities for Association activities and events.
3. Will have signature registered with the bank servicing the association and with any other financial institution serving as depository of funds.
4. May temporarily assume the responsibilities of vacant volunteer positions while working to fill those positions.
5. Shall not be the Chair of more than two (2) committees, sub-committees, special committees or workgroups.
6. Attends Board, membership, and any committee meetings
7. Identifies, cultivates and recruits future leaders.
8. Makes recommendations to the Board for committee appointments.
9. Directs and refers members to appropriate volunteer contacts as needed.
10. Is available to receive direct feedback from members for input to the Board, and to communicate to inquiring members, appropriate information regarding actions of the Board.
11. Maintains communication with membership through newsletters, social media, meetings.
12. Fulfills the fiduciary, due diligence, and other responsibilities of President
13. Maintains orderly records of activities and timelines relevant to the position during the term and supplies the incoming President with those records to ensure a smooth transition.

Time Commitment

The time commitment averages approximately 5-8hrs per month, depending on activities. Attend and run every meeting ( usually 2-4hrs long, 4-5 times a year)
Final organization and sign off for all conference events; usually 3-4 days in length

Vacancy and Succession

A vacancy in the President’s position will be filled immediately by the sitting Vice President

Removal from Office

By majority vote, an officer may be removed from office for failure to:

1. Fulfill their duties and responsibilities (dereliction of duties).
2. Failure to abide by the TMTA Bylaws, Policy, Job Description, Financial Policies and Procedures.
3. Inappropriate use of TMTA funds

Dee resides in Memphis, TN. She volunteers for the massage community by serving as the co-organizer of the Memphis Massage Professionals, the Vice President of the Tennessee Massage Therapy Association and by serving on Tennessee Massage State Board. Personal interests are her family to include triplets and five grandchildren. She is an outdoor adventurer with a passion for hiking.

Tennessee Massage Therapy Association

Position Title: Vice President

Purpose
The Vice President will assist the President in achieving TMTA goals and effecting
policies and/or decisions made by the Board of Directors.

Eligibility

• Be a TMTA member in good standing
• Be a licensed massage therapist in TN in good standing
• Have served a minimum of one year on the TMTA Board or as a committee
  volunteer

Authority

The authority of Vice President is conferred by the TMTA membership through election,
and as specified in TMTA Bylaws, Policy and TMTA Standing Rules.

Accountability

The Vice President is accountable to the Membership by virtue of election and the
Chapter Board through reporting activities.

Term of Office

• Elected by membership in odd years
• Serves a 2 year term
• No more than 2 consecutive terms

Oversees

• Education Chair
• Community Connections

Responsibilities

1. Is a voting member of the TMTA board.
2. In the temporary absence or incapacity of the President, the Vice President serves in
   the place of the President.
3. In the event the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice President will
   assume the position until the next term election.
4. Attend Board, membership, and any committee meetings for which the Vice President
   has responsibility.
5. Identifies, cultivates and recruits future leaders.
6. Makes recommendations to the President for committee appointments.
7. Directs and refers members to appropriate volunteer and staff contacts as needed.
8. Is available to receive direct feedback from members for input to the Board, and to
   communicate to inquiring members, appropriate information regarding actions of the
   Board.
9. Manages and coordinates with the community connect committee chairman to
   oversee and support community connect activities.
10. Manages and coordinates with the education committee chairman to oversee and
    support community connect activities.

Time Commitment

• The time commitment averages approximately 2-3 hours per week, depending on activities. The
  time commitment may be higher before and/or during certain events or actions.

Vacancy and Succession

A vacancy in the Vice President’s position will be filled immediately by an appointment
of the President until the next term election.
Removal from Office

The Vice President may be removed from office for:

1. Failure to maintain TMTA membership
2. Failure to fulfill their duties and responsibilities (dereliction of duties).
3. Failure to abide by the TMTA Bylaws and/or Job Description,
4. Unprofessional and/or unethical conduct/behavior
5. Removal shall occur upon vote of the TMTA board excluding the Vice
   President.

Hey, I’m Charlene! I started my career as a massage therapist in 2001 and have enjoyed every moment of it since. I have been involved with many aspects of the massage industry from spa employee to business owner and private practice, massage school instructor, continuing education provider, study abroad tour organizer and professional association volunteer. Besides good old-fashioned hard work I believe that success in this field relies on adaptability, balance and a willingness to work on ourselves as individuals. Growing and maintaining connections within the LMT community has always been an integral piece of my professional journey. I enjoy collaborating with organizations and individuals who desire to do good, serve others and preserve the integrity of the massage profession as a whole.

In the year of 2000 I became an LMT, holding TN license #2213. Opening an establishment from 2007-2015 until moving to Middle, TN; besides my own massage practice I am the Financial Aid Administrator for Mind Body Institute, LLC. During this time I was the AMTA-TN Chapter Treasurer for 9 years; I am currently sitting on the board for TASFAA and I am honored to volunteer with the TMTA as their Financial Director.

Tennessee Massage Therapy Association

Position Title: Financial Director

Purpose

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the TMTA Financial Director works alongside the TMTA
President and is the person to keep all financial records for TMTA up-to-date.

Eligibility

• Be a TMTA member in good standing
• Be a licensed massage therapist in TN in good standing
• If you wish to hold a TMTA credit card you must produce an acceptable credit score

Authority

The authority of Financial Director is conferred by the TMTA membership through election, and
as specified in TMTA Bylaws, Policy and TMTA Standing Rules.

Accountability
The Financial Director is accountable to the Membership by virtue of election and the Chapter
Board through reporting activities.

Term of Office

• Elected by membership in odd years
• Serves a 2 year term
• No more than 2 consecutive terms

Oversees

• Financial Committee

Responsibilities

1. Is a voting member of TMTA board
2. Fulfill TMTA accounting responsibilities as required by the TMTA Bylaws and Policies on a
   monthly, quarterly, and or annually schedule; which includes balancing of accounts and (as
   needed):
   A) Receive and disburse all monies of the Association and follow the Association’s financial
   policy as approved by the Executive Board.
   B) Maintain adequate, accurate and appropriate records of financial transactions as they
   relate to the operations of the Association.
   C) Reports to the TMTA board and/or members of the TMTA financial status at all
   meetings.
   D) Submit the Association’s records to an annual financial review within sixty (60) days
   following the close of the fiscal year. The Executive Board will decide who performs the
   financial review.
   E) Turn over all financial records of the Association to Financial Directors (Treasurer)
   successor no later than sixty (60) days from the completion of the term.
3. In the temporary absence or incapacity of the Financial Director (Treasurer), the TMTA elected
   President will fulfill reporting duties.
4. In the event the office of the Financial Director becomes vacant, the TMTA President, per
   Bylaws and Policies may hold a meeting for nominations and or voting.
5. Establish a bank account along with the TMTA president, including a two person signature
   for any checks over $500.00
6. Have the authority to pay bills, based on the existing budget, after the expiration of the fiscal
   year until a new budget is approved by the Executive Board
7. Maintain the exceptional credit rating of the Association by paying all bills and/or invoices
   upon receipt.
8. Work with the TMTA President and accountant to provide necessary documents for and
   ensure the timely filing of the federal and state taxes.
9. Update the Corporation Annual Report for the State of Tennessee no-later-than March 30
   each year.

File and/or assist as needed in filing an IRS form 990 (or 990EZ) and 990-T by the deadline
each year.

Time Commitment

• Up-to 10 hours per month maximum

Vacancy and Succession

A vacancy in the Financial Directors position will be filled immediately by an appointment of
the President until the next term election.
Removal from Office
By majority vote, an officer may be removed from office for failure to:

1. Fulfill their duties and responsibilities (dereliction of duties).
2. Failure to abide by the TMTA Bylaws, Policy, Job Description, Financial Policies and
   Procedures.
3. Inappropriate use of TMTA funds

While working in the “corporate” world and realizing this was not the future I wanted, a very close friend encouraged me to pursue massage. In April of 2000, I moved from IL to TN to embark on my massage career at the Institute of Therapeutic Massage & Movement and have never looked back!

In August of 2006 I attended my 1st TN Massage Licensure Board mtg, answering a “challenge” from Maj-Lis Nash to not just want things to change but to step up and help be the change in our profession. Then in May of 2008, I became the Government Relations Chair of the AMTA TN Chapter and remained in that position until February of 2021 when I resigned to become the Legislative Director of the TMTA. I learned a lot from those almost 13 years working with a national massage organization, and I am looking forward to bringing that knowledge to the LMTs and massage establishments in TN as your Legislative Director.

The history of the TMTA is important part of massage profession in TN, having been there from the start and the reason we have licensure in TN. I am proud to be a part in helping continue this legacy!

Tennessee Massage Therapy Association

Position Title: Legislative Director
Purpose
The Legislative Director will assist the President in achieving TMTA goals and effecting policies and/or decisions made by the Board of Directors.

Eligibility

• Be a TMTA member in good standing
• Be a licensed massage therapist in TN in good standing
• Have served a minimum of one year as a Legislative committee volunteer

Authority
The authority of Legislative Director is conferred by the TMTA membership through election, and as specified in TMTA Bylaws, Policy and TMTA Standing Rules.

Accountability
The Legislative Director is accountable to the Membership by virtue of election and the Chapter Board through reporting activities.

Term of Office

• Elected by membership in odd years
• Serves a 2 year term
• No more than 2 consecutive terms

Oversees

• Legislative Committee

Responsibilities

1. Is a voting member of the TMTA board.
2. In the temporary absence or incapacity of the President, the Vice President serves in the place of the President.
3. In the event the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice President will assume the position until the next term election.
4. Attend Board, membership, and any committee meetings for which the Vice President has responsibility.
5. Identifies, cultivates and recruits future leaders.
6. Makes recommendations to the President for committee appointments.
7. Directs and refers members to appropriate volunteer and staff contacts as needed.
8. Is available to receive direct feedback from members for input to the Board, and to communicate to inquiring members, appropriate information regarding actions of the Board.
9. Manages and coordinates with the community connect committee chairman to oversee and support community connect activities.
10. Manages and coordinates with the education committee chairman to oversee and support community connect activities.

Time Commitment

The time commitment averages approximately 2 hours per week, depending on time of year. The time commitment may be higher during State of TN Legislative session and each quarter for TN Massage Licensure Board attendance.

Vacancy and Succession
A vacancy in the Legislative Director’s position will be filled immediately by an appointment of the TMTA board until the next term election.

Removal from Office

The Legislative Director may be removed from office for:

1. Failure to maintain TMTA membership
2. Failure to fulfill their duties and responsibilities (dereliction of duties)
3. Failure to abide by the TMTA Bylaws and/or Job Description
4. Unprofessional and/or unethical conduct/behavior

Removal shall occur upon vote of the TMTA board excluding the Legislative Director.

Tia Kay Smith has been a licensed massage therapist for…years. Her passion for learning and helping others  has led her to volunteer in several capacities and organizations, both massage and non-massage related.

Livi received her massage training from Houston School of Massage in Houston, TX. She is licensed as a Massage Therapist through the Tennessee board of Massage Therapy. Throughout her massage career, Livi has had the opportunity to work alongside many professionals including Chiropractors and Acupuncturists, who share the same vision in providing patients with the greatest quality of care.

Livi’s passion as a Massage Therapist is inspired by her love for holistic health and wellbeing, whole body wellness, living in sync with nature, and intentional daily self-care. Her mission and long-term goal as a Massage Therapist/Holistic Health Practitioner is to empower her clients and students to be their own healers and advocates. In Livi’s free time you can find her on an outdoor off-grid adventure, gardening or hiking with her beloved dogs Po and Maple.

This position is currently open if interested please email president@tmtanews.org

This position is currently open if interested please email president@tmtanews.org

Charles West got his first massage in 1992 after an injury. He was soon hooked and trained with Dolly Foster in Knoxville in 1994. After passing the American Massage Therapy Association’s written and practical entrance exam in December 1994, he was accepted as a Professional Member. He was also accepted into the Tennessee Massage Therapy Association and served as TMTA NEWS Editor from 1996 to 1999, and Knoxville Chapter coordinator for several years. Soon after licensing went into effect in Tennessee in 1995, he was issued License #64. He has been a Continuing Education Provider since 2003 and is an Approved Provider for the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. He incorporates Touch for Health Kinesiology, Osteopathic and other Western manual therapies, and Asian bodywork with a focus on pain and stress relief.